PETA oversteps its boundaries with our Phil

JEERS to PETA for demanding that Pennsylvania’s famous Punxsutawney Phil be replaced with a robotic replica. Phil spends a few minutes in front of the crowd and the rest of the year he is well-fed and taken care of. PETA way overstepped on this one — dare I say “beyond a shadow of a doubt.”

ohn Griffiths, center, holds the weather-predicting groundhog Punxsutawney Phil as Phil is interviewed by media at Gobbler's Knob on Groundhog Day, Monday, Feb. 2, 2009, in Punxsutawney, Pa. (AP Photo)CHEERS to the 25 jockeys at Penn National for taking a stand about horse mistreatment. The jockeys and several trainers have refused to work with any more of Michael Gill’s horses, which have been highly prone to injuries and death through the years (including the death of a horse in a race last weekend). Penn National is investigating. Perhaps PETA would be better off looking into issues such as this rather than a groundhog.
JEERS to more foul doings in Aramark Corp.’s Capitol cafeteria. The group failed yet another inspection test this week — ironically on the same day it testified in front of a state House panel about its last disgrace. How many strikes until you’re out?

CHEERS to tusks, mammoths and mastodons, the fabulous new exhibit at The State Museum of Pennsylvania. Be sure to check out the recently reconstructed skeleton of the Marshalls Creek Mastodon, a creature that literally roamed our backyards. Why bother with the “Jurassic Park” DVD when you can see equally amazing extinct creatures right here?

CHEERS and a big welcome home to members of Pennsylvania’s 28th Combat Aviation Brigade. Their arrival last Saturday marked the end of the largest combat deployment for the state’s Guard since WWII. A resounding applause and gratitude for our state’s troops, including state House Rep. Lt. Col. Scott Perry (R-Dillsburg), who was deployed with the group.

JEERS to the Interstate 83 commute in the midstate. A recent study confirmed what quite a few know only too well: The Harrisburg stretch of I-83 (specifically from 13th to 19th streets) is one of the worst commutes in the nation. Maybe we can get a film tax credit for Hollywood to make the next “Fast and Furious” car movie sequel right here.

CHEERS to the Hummelstown Borough Council for its newly created “Junior Councilman” program. Two teens from Lower Dauphin High School, Aleiyah Rossa and Casey Kulina, will serve as the first junior council members. They will attend all meetings and share their perspective. Call it good government by the people — of all ages.

CHEERS and an update: the city of Harrisburg took down the Christmas decorations this week. A Patriot-News employee also spotted McClure trucks on Market Street bridge addressing the lights. Credit where credit is due.

Finally, JEERS to the community backlash over Central Dauphin East High School’s production of “Urinetown.” The musical satire about corruption and abuse of power sounds like a pretty good choice for a Pennsylvania school this year. Don’t judge a play by its name.

Heather Long is deputy editorial page editor. 255-8104 or hlong@pnco.com.